A SIMMENTAL from the Simmers family from Keith, Banffshire, went straight to the top to win the prestigious inter-breed beef honours.
It was the icing on the cake for the dual-purpose continental breed which is proving popular at breed sales, securing a first supreme overall at the Ingliston event in almost 30 years.
Thought to be the breed’s most successful Highland Show to date, the last time a Simmental took centre stage here is believed to be in 1995. That was when the five-year-old cow, Tillylair Angela, from Robert Crawford, Tillylair, Lumphanan, was crowned supreme by judge John Jeffrey.
This year’s win was also extremely memorable for Philip Simmers and sons Reece and Andrew, along with their uncle Symon, who run 80 pedigree Simmentals and 500 commercial cows at Backmuir, alongside a steel fabrication business.
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Having purchased their first Simmental in 2018, the team has secured no fewer than three breed championships and one reserve in just four years exhibiting at the Ingliston event.
This year’s supreme was the four-year-old cow Annick Ginger’s Lucia, which was champion here last year and reserve in 2022.
Purchased at the late Lachlan Quarm’s herd dispersal in Stirling, she is a daughter of Wolfstar Gold Digger out of Annick Coleen’s Ginger. She was was paraded with her November-born bull calf, Backmuir Pompeii 23, by Backmuir Marksman, at foot.
Inter-breed beef judge Peter Watson, Banchory, a commercial beef farmer, described the individual line-up as ‘the creme de la crème’.
“The Simmental is an easy first in my eyes, being a super big powerful maternal cow full of breed character. She is an excellent advocate for the breed, and if you want a Simmental, she has everything you are looking for,” said Mr Watson.
Reserve was the two-year-old in-calf Limousin heifer Maraiscote Tangerine, from Ian and Andrew Nimmo, Bogside, Newmains. Junior inter-breed champion and reserve breed champion here last year, she also secured the championship at the Great Yorkshire in 2023.
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Limousins took the inter-breed team title, which comprised of Tangerine, along with three entries from Robert and Jean Graham to include the August 2022-born female Ritchie’s Treasure, the four-year-old cow Grahams Ruth, and the two-year-old bull Garrowby Tarzan.
“There has to be teamwork shown, every entry has to contribute to the team, and I was looking for a group that was well balanced – that was the Limousins today,” said Mr Watson.
They were followed by the Simmentals, made up of the inter-breed winner Annick Ginger’s Lucia and another from the Simmers, Annick Lucia’s Nicosia, and two entries from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour, Delfur Nifty and Delfur Number1 22.
The two Deflur animals brought out by manager Garry Patterson also secured the reserve pairs title, having been beaten by the Aberdeen Angus duo Tonley Fiona Y937 from Neil and Mark Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, Aberdeenshire, and the two-year-old bull Oakmoor Boss Y637 from Tom Slater, North Yorkshire.
Delfur Farms’ Delfur Nifty also bagged the junior inter-breed honours, a first ever for the breed. Having stood inter-breed pedigree calf champion at LiveScot last year, this November 2022-born heifer is sired by the 9000gns Ballymoney Larry, and out of Delfur Joyful.
“The Simmental is a very balanced and correct heifer, full of character, style and length – she deserved that top spot. She was a dream to walk, and locomotion is a key component,” said the junior inter-breed judge Robert McNee, Tealing.
Runner-up was the Charolais, Inverlochy United from Johnny and Raymond Irvine, Inverlochy, Tomintoul. Reserve male in the breed championships, this two-year-old is sired by Caylers Napoleon.
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Highlands won the native teams and comprised the champion, the three-year-old heifer, Claggorm 62 of Glengarnock, from Angus and Inga McGillivary; the male champion, Cameron of Sguir Mhor, a five-year-old bull from Dexter and Carolyn Logan and Ewen Macmillan; and the seven-year-old cow Magaida 4 of Earn, from Heather Corrigall.
The Highland breed also secured a third placing in the inter-breed teams.
A trio of Beef Shorthorns followed the Highlands in the native teams and consisted of Allan Jackson’s November 2022-born bull, Headlind Stockman, Natalie Hynd’s 14-month-old heifer Westbroad Bramble Tina, and David and Mairi Wyllie’s yearling heifer, Burllie Tilly.
Continental Beefbreeder champion was the two-year-old Limousin bull, Garrowby Tarzan from Robert and Jean Graham, Airthrey Kerse Dairy Farm, Bridge of Allan, Stirling. A son of Grahams Rooney, he is bred from Gunnerfleet Nacian. Bought at Carlisle in October for 12,000gns, he was brought out by Stewart and Lynsey Bett.
History was made among the natives as a red Aberdeen Angus was tapped out as the supreme for George and Nikki Taylor, Mosshall, Blackburn, West Lothian.
Brought out by stockman James Reid, this previously unshown two-year-old bull, Mosshall Red Saltire, is backed by home-bred genetics. He is sired by the Canadian ET bull Mosshall Red Legacy, and bred from Mosshall Red Skye R521.
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Beef Shorthorn
It was worthwhile trip from Bute for Tom McMillian, Eskechraggan, Rothesay, when his two-year-old was crowned supreme among the Beef Shorthorns.
Eskechraggan Fairy Sara, a heifer bought in utero, is by the 20,000gns Millerston Casper and out of Ballylinney Fairy Zara, which was purchased from Derek Steen’s draft sale at Stirling for 3800gns. She was paraded in-calf to Cherryvalley Tyson Fury, which was imported from Ireland. Champion at West Fife and Stirling as well as pure bred native champion at Bute Show last year, she is now destined for the Great Yorkshire Show.
Runner-up was the male champion Headlind Stockman, from Allan Jackson, Lanark, which sold in May at Carlisle to John Sleigh, Aberdeen, for 7500gns. Reserve champion at Stars of the Future last year, his pedigree features the sire Dunsyre Horatio and the former Highland Show winner, Headlind Holly Nutmeg.
Dumfriesshire breeders, David and Mairi Wyllie, The Gill, Cummertrees, bagged the reserve female ticket with their yearling heifer Burllie Tilly. Reserve champion at Ayr Show, she is sired by Cairnsmore Landmark and out of the foundation female, Burlie Primrose.
The blue and white sash among the males went to the April 2023-born bull Muiresk Turra from the Mair family, Turriff, who run 30 pedigree cows. Previously unshown, this bull is a son of the privately purchased Alvie Galaxy, and out of Barwood Tessa Nerys. Turra’s full brother won the Beefbreeder competition here last year as well as the progeny pairs. Turra is destined for the February Bull Sales at Stirling.
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Aberdeen Angus
Taking the supreme was the female champion Tonley Fiona Y937 from Aberdeenshire breeders, Neil and Mark Wattie, Alford.
Sired by Tonley Jester Eric, which has bred bulls to 24,000gns and heifers to 20,0000gns, she is bred from Tonley Fiona V594, one of 140 cows in the herd.
Champion at Agri Expo and the Black Beauty Bonanza, Fiona also bagged the reserve female at the National Show at Turriff last year. She was paraded six months in calf to Inkstack Frontier.
Tom Slater, North Yorkshire, enjoyed his best result to date at Ingliston when he took the reserve honours with the two-year-old bull Oakmoor Boss Y637. Champion at the Royal Welsh Show last year, this lad is a son of the privately purchased Wedderlie Osprey, and bred from Oakmoor Beauty.
Taking the runner-up male honours was Balavilhouse Galahad, from Hannah Heerema, Balavil Home Farm, Kingussie. Brought out by farm manager Gerald Joyce, this bull is backed by home-bred genetics, being sired by Balavilhouse Loyal Era and out of Balavilhouse Genevieve.
Mike and Melanie Alford, Foxhill, Devon, went home with the blue and white rosette among the females, when their April 2023-born heifer, Gretnahouse Evas Honey, was tapped out. Purchased at the herd dispersal as a calf for 8000gns, she is a daughter of Rodmead Primero and out of Gretnahouse Evas Honey U052. Reserve champion at Cornwall and the Three Counties, she is destined for next month’s Great Yorkshire and the Royal Welsh Shows.
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Galloway
After taking a year out of the Ingliston show ring, the Finlays, Blackcraig, Castle Douglas, returned to take the breed honours with Blackcraig Blondchen.
This three-year-old is sired by the private purchase Nucamp of Balgray and out of Blackcraig Blondchen, which has been flushed with embryos from her having been sold to Australia. Paraded in-calf to a Canadian bull, she was on her first outing and is now destined for the Great Yorkshire.
Jim and Doug Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries, took the reserve championship with their bought-in heifer Kirkstead Lea G11. Purchased at Castle Douglas in February for 2400gns from Alan McClymont, this girl is a daughter of Blackcraig Bugsy Malone, and bred from Kirkstead Lea D14. She is now destined for the Great Yorkshire Show.
The same home won the bull championship with the sole entry in the section, Gage of Romesbeoch. This September 2022-born bull is sired by Straturr Yogi, which was purchased privately from Robert Marshall, and out of Twinkle 1589 of Romesbeoch. A full brother to an 8000gns bull, he is destined for the breed sale at Castle Douglas in February.
Belted Galloway
It was a day to remember for sisters Molly (17) and Daisy (15) Keiley, from Carton Croft, Dalbeattie, when they secured their first championship at Ingliston.
Taking that top spot was Huntfield Yvette, which was bought as a calf at foot with its dam, Huntfield Uppy. This September 2020-born female was shown with her September-born heifer calf, Croft Elsie.
Having already bagged local show championships, the duo are set for the Yorkshire.
It was a female day for the breed, with the reserve going to the runner-up in the section Grassknop Jemima, from Sean Mitchell, Grassknop, near Skelton. This two-year-old heifer is a daughter of Lomond Tamnavulin and out of Grassknop Kate. She was shown due in January to Coulmony Maximus, and is destined for the Great Yorkshire Show.
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Allan and Susan Campbell, Crawlaw, Galston, took the top male ticket with the privately purchased rising four-year-old bull Rowater Einstein. Bred by G and I French and champion at Ayr Show, he is by Coulmony Allan and out of Glen Flojo.
Copelaw Zac was awarded the reserve male championship for Judith Cowie, Gatehouse of Fleet. This October 2022-born bull is a son of Lullenden Aztec Warrior, and out of the red cow, Copelaw Ruby, which was champion here in 2019.
Highland
Oban purchases made their mark in a strong Highland cattle section, with the overall going to Claggorm 62 of Glengarnock, from Angus and Inga McGillivary of Highland Cattle Services, Dalmally.
Bought in February from Andrew Kirkpatrick for 8000gns, this was the couple’s first win exhibiting in their own right from the 12-cow fold. The three-year-old heifer is sired by Iain Ruadh of Glenkinglass and out of Claggorm 45 of Glengarnock.
Taking the runner-up spot was Dexter and Carolyn Logan’s Cameron of Sguir Mhor, owned in partnership with Ewen Macmillan, Lurg. This five-year-old was purchased for 10,000gns from Willie Maclean and is sired by Eoin Mhor 18 of Mottistone, and out of Tanya 3 of Mottistone. He is destined for the Great Yorkshire Show.
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Reserve female was Magaida 4 of Earn, from Heather Corrigall, The Ranch, Letham. Champion at Angus and Alyth Shows, this seven-year-old was shown with 11-week-old bull calf at foot, Stewie of Earn. A daughter of Angus Ruadh of Wester Croachy, she is out of Magaida 1 of Earn.
Innes 1 of Glenfinnan took the runner-up in the males for Andrew Polson and Kirsty Neil, Portlethen, Aberdeenshire. Reserve junior champion at Stars of the Future, this home-bred two-year-old is a daughter of Alisdair 4 of Woodneuck and bred from the private purchase Iona of Craigluscar.
Hereford
Going one better to secure the championship after standing reserve breed champion here last year was Spartan 1 Victoria’s Secret from Simon and Gemma Hartwright, Oxfordshire.
This rising four-year-old cow is sired by Solpoll 1 Perfection, out of Cleland 1 Glissade and was shown with her February-born bull calf at foot, Spartan 1 Beckham by Rempstone 1 Waspy.
Getting the second tap out for the reserve honours was the April 2021-born bull Dendor 1 Vodka from Bethan Hutchinson, Field House Farm, Greatham, Co Durham, who runs 35 cows. Bought privately in Wales from DE, ED and AI Jones, he is a son of Gouldingpoll 1 Moonshine and bred from Dendor 1 Wattle 9.
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Neil and Audrey Anderson and daughter Abbie, of Cant Partners’ Panmure herd from Arbroath, took the reserve male with the November 2022-born bull, Panmure 1 Admiral. He is by the privately purchased Romany 1 Thor, out of Panmure 1 Plum.
Reserve female was the December 2022-born heifer RM 1 Lily from Emma Hodge, Duns. A daughter of Coley 1 Lily, she is out of Coley 1 Lily 561.
Lincoln Red
The Clough family, Halton Holegate in Lincolnshire, did the double among the Lincoln Reds taking the champion and reserve.
The top ticket went to the two-year-old bull Beverley Benjamin, which is backed by home-bred genetics, being sired by Beverley Vantage and out of Beverley Miss V17.
Runner-up was awarded to the rising yearling Beverley Mary C21. Another home-bred heifer, she is a daughter of Beverley Samson, and out of Beverley Mary V51 – one of 80 cows in the herd.
Andrew Mylius, Newport-on-Tay, Dundee, took the runner-up tickets in both the males and females. The three-year-old bull, St Fort Atlas Junior, a home-bred son of St Fort Xcaliber, out of St Fort Anne, bagged the former.
The latter was presented to the April 2022-born heifer St Fort Hannah B248, a daughter of St Fort Xpert, out of St Fort Hannah Y937.
Charolais
First-time exhibitors Drew Coppinger and Nairn Wyllie, Buxton, went straight to the top among the Charolais to win the breed championship.
Their show stopper was the two-year-old home-bred in-calf heifer Grinshill Tallulah, which was paraded due in January to Grinshill Usyk. Sired by Barnsford Ferny, Tallulah is out of Maerdy Bardy, which was bought privately for the seven-cow herd.
Fife-based breeders Katreen and Craig Malone, Pitcairn, Cardenden, Lochgelly, were also exhibiting for the first time here and took the reserve with a cow and calf outfit.
Their four-year-old, Lochend Rolo, was purchased from Katreen’s father Iain Miller’s at the herd dispersal at Stirling, and is a daughter of Gretnahouse Ming, out of Lochend Navajo. She was shown with her October 2023-born bull calf Lakelady Udancer which is by Balthayock Musketeer. Rolo was champion of champions at West Fife and reserve at Stirling.
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The top ticket among the males went to the five-year-old Newlogie Perejacquemin, shown by Andrew Reid, farm manager of AJR Farms, Ellon. Previously unshown, he is a son of Newlogie Nobel, and out of Newlogie Naya. He is now set for the Great Yorkshire.
Inverlochy United, took the reserve title for Johnny and Raymond Irvine, Inverlochy, Tomintoul. This yearling is a son of the 12,000gns Caylers Napoleon and is bred from Inverlochy Indus. He was on his show debut.
Simmental
Brothers Reece and Andrew Simmers scored a hat-trick by taking their third breed championship at Ingliston back to the Morayshire.
The brothers who run the Backmuir herd from Keith, also won their first inter-breed title here.
Supreme was the four-year-old cow Annick Ginger’s Lucia, which was bought at the late Lachlan Quarm’s herd dispersal at Stirling, after standing reserve here in 2022. Champion here last year, she is sired by Wolfstar Gold Digger, out of Annick Coleen’s Ginger, and was paraded with her November-born bull calf, Backmuir Marksman.
Reserve female and runner-up overall was the two-year-old Corskie Namenco from the Green family, Garmouth, Fochabers, Moray. Junior female champion here and junior inter-breed at Keith, she is sired by Kilbride Farm Haka, which was bought at Stirling for 10,000gns and out of Corskie Framenco.
The same home produced the reserve male champion in the form of the October 2023-born bull Corskie Puma 23. This January 2023-born bull is by Rathnashan Kellogg’s, which was purchased privately in Northern Ireland, and out of Corskie Kit. Puma was on his show debut and is destined for the Stirling Bull Sales in October.
Jim and Elizabeth Dyet, Merkland, Strathaven, took the male championship with the two-year-old bull Annick Nazareth 22. Reserve junior male champion at the National Show at Dumfries last year, he is a son of Kilbride Farm Karl. He was another bought at the herd dispersal as a calf at foot, with his dam Annick Freshia’s Kiki being a previous champion here.
Limousin
Maraiscote Tangerine, from Ian and Andrew Nimmo, Bogside, Newmains, went one better than her reserve win here last year to land the breed championship.
The April 2022-born heifer is sired by Morhan Peter, a bull bought out of Ireland, and bred from the Bassingfield Machoman daughter Maraiscote Orange. Junior inter-breed here and champion at the Great Yorkshire last year, she is again heading down to the Harrogate event in a bid to retain the title. Tangerine was paraded in-calf to the French sire, Djerk.
Following her all the way to take runner-up was the reserve female Brockhurst Tranquility, a two-year-old heifer from Doug and Harvey Mash, Torrington, Chesham. She is by the privately purchased bull, Proctors Mitubishi, and out of Brockhurst Heavenly, which was champion here as a two-year-old.
Robert and Jean Graham, Airthrey Kerse Dairy Farm, Bridge of Allan, took the male champion with their two-year-old bull Garrowby Tarzan.
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A son of Grahams Rooney, bred from Gunnerfleet Nacian, he was bought at Carlisle in October for 12,000gns and was brought out by Stewart and Lynsey Bett. Champion and inter-breed beef at Gargunnock, champion at Stirling and reserve at Drymen and Ayr, he is now set for the Royal Welsh and the Great Yorkshire.
Another destined for the Yorkshire, Whinfellpark Upperclass, took the reserve male for AW Jenkinson Farms, Clifton Moor, Penrith. This home-bred March 2023-born bull is sired by Foxhillfarm Jasper, which was purchased at Carlisle for 35,000gns, and out of Whinfellpark Redruby. Male champion at Northumberland Show he will be forward for the breed sale at Carlisle in October.
British Blue
The Hartley family from Pendle Valley, Roughlee, Lancashire, won their first championship in two years exhibiting at Ingliston with a home-bred heifer.
Taking that top award was the March 2022-born heifer Pendle Sarsaparilla, a daughter of the Belgian sire Jalon De Martinpre, bred from the show cow Pendle Meringue – one of only 10 cows in the herd. She is now set for the Great Yorkshire Show.
It was a clean sweep for the remainder of the silverware which saw Kevin Watret, Maulcastle, Annan, bag the reserve overall with the yearling heifer Solway View Tamsin, which was champion at LiveScot and Stars of the Future.
Sired by Boheard Overdose, she is one of the first calves out of Solway View Peach.
Overdose was also behind Mr Watret’s top two winners among the males, brought out by stockman, Ali Jackson. Champion was Solway View Tenley, the breed leader at Lesmahgow and Cumberland shows. An April 2023-born bull, he is bred from Solway View Netty.
Runner-up went to the similarly aged Solway View Tate, which was first at Agri Expo, and is bred from Solway View Katie.
Salers
It was a red-letter day for Gill and Malcolm Pye, Rednock, Port of Menteith, among the Salers when they won the overall championship, reserve and the reserve female honours.
Supreme was the couple’s five-year-old cow Rednock Oriana, paraded with her two-month-old bull calf Rednock Uefa, which is by the French bull, Senateur. Oriana is a daughter of Rigel Officer and out of Rednock Odessa.
Next best was the 15-month-old bull Rednock Tarzan, by Senator and out of Rednock Dandilion. Reserve continental at Gargunnock and Stirling Shows, he is destined for the breed sale at Castle Douglas in November.
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It was the second prize cow to the champion that was awarded the reserve female honours in the form of the three-year-old Rednock Andrea. Backed by Rigel breeding, she is sired by Rigel Officer and bred from Rigel Luna. She was paraded with her three-month-old bull calf Rednock Ultravox, by Titan.
Thomas and Catherine Atkinson, The Mill, Mickleton, Barnard Castle, secured the reserve male title with the February 2021-born bull Traboyack Rooney. Stock bull for the 120-cow herd, he was purchased privately from Jonathan and Alex Wright, Pinmore Mains, Girvan and is a son of Lowick Hall Spartan bred from a Drumnaglea cow.
Commercial
Having judged the commercial section last year, Stewart Bett and his wife Lynsey were in fine form this year when their 14-month-old, 580kg black Limousin cross heifer, Electra, went straight to the top to win the supreme.
She is sired by Ronick Red Hot, and was purchased at the Thainstone Spectacular for £5000 last year from Balfour Baillie, Orkney. A big show winner, she was champion calf at LiveScot, reserve overall at the National Beef Calf Show at the Beef Expo in April, and champion at Ayr, Drymen, Gargunnock and Stirling Shows.
Michael Robertson and son Mark, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, produced a personal best at Ingliston, winning the reserve overall. Taking that award was a 16-month-old Limousin cross bullock. He weighed in at 562kg, is sired by Beachmount Pacman, an 8000gns purchase at Carlisle, and is out of the show cow Bucks Fizz. Reserve at the Agri Expo, last October, he went on to stand champion at the Christmas Classic Rising Stars event and the Spring Show in February.
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Reserve female was CC Cindy from Wilson Peters, Crieff. His home-bred, 21-month-old 700kg Limousin cross heifer is sired by Carmorn Lionbar, out of a British Blue cross cow. Another big show winner she was champion of champions at Alyth Show, reserve inter-breed beef at West Fife and Angus shows, champion at Angus.
Gareth Scott, and daughters Abbie and Amy, Dalry, took the reserve bullock with Baby Guiness, a 14-month-old Limousin cross weighing 582kg. He is by Wilodge Merlin, and was purchased for £4300 at Central Young Farmers’ Calf Rally. He was champion of champions at Dalry and Neilston and champion at Stewarton.
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